Greg Smith named as Australia's flag bearer

Wednesday, 22 August 2012

VIS Paralympic veteran Greg Smith has been officially announced as Australia's flag bearer for the London 2012 Games.

‘Smithy’, who was a physical training instructor in the Australian Army before a car accident in 1986 left him with quadraplegia, said being handed the Australian flag by team Chef de Mission Jason Hellwig was the proudest moment of his career.

‘I’m so proud to be an Australian Paralympian and to be given the honour of leading this team into the Opening Ceremony is definitely one of the highlights and I will never forget this moment,’ Smith said.

Hellwig said Smith had been selected not only for his skill on the court, but because of who he was as a person; ‘Greg embodies the virtues of the Australian Paralympic movement to the very highest standards.’

Smithy began on VIS Scholarship as a Track & Field athlete, where he won three gold, two silver and two bronze across three Games in 1992, 1996 and 2000 before retiring.

He re-entered elite sport two years later in wheelchair rugby, or "murderball" as the sport is affectionately known.  The move proved successful as he helped the Steelers win silver in Beijing in 2008.

The VIS would like to acknowledge and congratulate Greg and wish him and his Steelers team mates, including fellow VIS athletes, Andrew Harrison, Naz Erdem, Jason Lees and Josh Hose, along with Coach Brad Dubberley and team manager Paul Kiteley the best of luck on their quest for GOLD in London.

(Image: Mark Dadswell)